Ruger SP101 .357 Mag
Model: 5718
Ruger SP101 .357 Mag
Model: 5718
Full Specifications
About This Firearm
The Ruger SP101 is an all-stainless double-action .357 Magnum built for concealed carry. It has an MSRP of $939. Its grip is a cushioned rubber sleeve with no exposed metal anywhere in the backstrap, so a full-power magnum load lands on rubber instead of on the heel of the hand.
The cylinder locks into the frame at the front, the rear and the bottom. The front sight is a black ramp, pinned in place so it can be replaced, and the rear is a groove in the top strap that does not adjust. A transfer bar blocks the firing pin until the trigger is all the way back, and there is no manual safety. The barrel is 2.25 inches turning 1:16, the gun is 7.2 inches long at 26 oz, and a red dot has nowhere to mount.
If you're cross-shopping, the Taurus 605 covers the same job in steel at 24 oz behind a 2-inch barrel with an MSRP of $457, and both of its sights are machined in place. The Smith & Wesson Model 60 is the other all-stainless five-shot magnum snub, with a 2.13-inch barrel on a frame 5.0 inches tall and an MSRP of $849. All three hold five rounds. The Ruger's MSRP is $482 above the Taurus 605's, and it adds the three-point cylinder lockup and the cushioned backstrap.
Best For
Strengths & Limitations
- Three points of cylinder lockup hold the chamber in line with the bore, which keeps a small revolver in time over a long life of magnum loads.
- Ruger builds the subassemblies to come apart without special tools, so maintenance past the bore is a kitchen-table job.
- Satin stainless over the frame and barrel, so sweat and holster wear show up as polish instead of rust.
- The rear sight does not move, so a load that prints high or low has to be held off.
- Five rounds at 26 oz is heavy for the capacity.
Category Rankings
How the Ruger SP101 .357 Mag ranks among compact .357 Mag handguns.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can it shoot .38 Special?
Yes, as any .357 Magnum chamber can, and with a fixed rear sight a lighter load should be checked on paper first.
Will aftermarket grips fit?
Yes. Ruger states the grip frame accommodates a wide variety of custom grips, and the factory grip is a cushioned rubber unit with an insert panel.
What is the twist rate?
A 1:16 right-hand twist, cut with five grooves.
